The Northerner + Mayoral elections | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner+politics/mayoral-elections
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 31 Mar 2015 19:05:35 GMT2015-03-31T19:05:35Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
A crucial first step on the road to ending homelessness in Liverpoolhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/12/liverpool-homeless-housing
The city's Cabinet member for housing, <strong><a href="http://openlylocal.com/members/1741-Ann-O-Byrne">Ann O'Byrne</a></strong>, praises <em><a href="http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/">No Second Night Out</a></em>, reported in the <em>Guardian Northerner</em> last week, and sets out the next steps<p>Last week the Mayor of Liverpool, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/04/labour-joe-anderson-liverpool-mayor">Joe Anderson</a>, joined me in signing up to the national campaign to <a href="http://homeless.org.uk/take-a-step">end rough sleeping</a> and made a public pledge that <a href="http://liverpool.gov.uk/">Liverpool city council</a> will continue to work hard to tackle homelessness. </p><p>In the midst of a recession, when the latest government figures show that homelessness is steadily rising across the UK, some might think this is a brave statement. For us, it's what we do every day. It's simple: we believe that the most vulnerable people in society should not bear the brunt of our country's economic problems. </p><p><br />1. Establish who the main partners are: could include the voluntary sector, housing options, police, health and other local authorities.</p><p>2. Identify scale of the problem: all local services will have information on who they work with. Share this information with your partners.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/12/liverpool-homeless-housing">Continue reading...</a>LiverpoolHousingHomelessnessLabourConservativesLiberal DemocratsPoliticsLocal governmentMayoral electionsWed, 12 Sep 2012 11:33:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/12/liverpool-homeless-housingMartin Godwin/GuardianRough sleeping in London. Liverpool is offering advice on spreading the successful No Second Night Out project. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianMartin Godwin/GuardianRough sleeping in central London. UK public funds are denied many former eastern bloc migrants.
Photograph: Martin Godwin for the GuardianCoun Ann O'Byrne2012-09-12T11:33:33ZLord Mayor's gifts dilemmahttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/sheffield-mayoral-elections
Nowhere to hang paintings in her parlour, and having to get staff to dash out to buy civic tokens; it's been a challenge for Sheffield's recently retired first citizen.<p>You know what it's like. Someone gets you a painting but there's just nowhere suitable to hang it. Sheffield's former Lord Mayor <a href="http://twitter.com/LordMayorSheff">Sylvia Dunkley, a grand Tweeter</a> during her year which ended in May, certainly does.</p><p>She has just published an annual report into her time as Sheffield's first citizen and says that the wood-panelled Mayor's Parlour in Sheffield Town Hall makes it difficult to hang new pictures. Worse, she adds that getting any of the existing ones changed in the Grade II listed building:</p><p>seems singularly fraught with difficulty.</p><p>I was presented with several pictures during my year and am disappointed that I have just had to leave them propped up and that they can't be hung properly. It is also embarrassing if someone who has presented a picture comes to the parlour again and finds that their picture is not on display.</p><p>It goes without saying that foreign visitors in particular invariably come with a gift for the city and it is frankly embarrassing that the city has very little [to] offer in return or that someone has to dash out to acquire something suitable at the last minute.</p><p>This issue really ought to be addressed.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/sheffield-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>SheffieldMayoral electionsLocal governmentFri, 07 Sep 2012 14:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/sheffield-mayoral-electionsEmily Lai/AlamyAlways a headache, but specially in Sheffield town hall. Photograph: Emily Lai/AlamyEmily Lai/AlamyBirthday presents can be expensive Photograph: Emily Lai/AlamyKevin Meagher2012-09-07T14:00:00ZThe reshuffle that achieved nothing for the northhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/reshuffle-north
Is Cameron now banking on southern support for the 2015 general election? And how do our northern regions counter the daily blast of Boris TV? <strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ed-jacobs">Ed Jacobs</a></strong> warns about a growing divide<p>Welcome back to the political season. After weeks of sporting entertainment like no other and days spent on the sunloungers, Westminster is back with a bang.</p><p>Almost exactly half way through the current parliament, David Cameron has not just reshuffled his team but showed his ruthless streak in ditching a number of ministers whom, he felt, had not lived up to expectation. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/reshuffle-north">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsDavid CameronChris GraylingMichael FallonSayeeda WarsiMayoral electionsLocal governmentConstitutional reformGeneral election 2015Fri, 07 Sep 2012 06:20:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/07/reshuffle-north/ReutersHey! There's life outside London and the south east. But do David Cameron and Boris Johnson need to give it much thought? Photograph: Reuters/ReutersDavid Cameron and Boris Johnson on a balcony at City Hall in London. Photograph: /ReutersEd Jacobs2012-09-07T06:20:00ZLiverpool's homeless figures rise despite measures to tackle the issuehttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/06/liverpool-homelessness
Latest government figures suggest that the number of people registering as homeless in the city has increased by 17%.<p>In February, when I attended the launch of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/03/liverpool-councils-campaign-end-rough-sleeping">No Second Night campaign</a> in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/liverpool">Liverpool</a>, I really hoped that it would be a success.</p><p>Just seven months ago, the local authority and five neighbouring authorities signed up to a campaign to end the problem of rough sleeping by December this year.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/06/liverpool-homelessness">Continue reading...</a>LiverpoolHomelessnessCharitiesSocietyMayoral electionsThu, 06 Sep 2012 16:46:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/06/liverpool-homelessnessEddie Keogh/REUTERSA homeless person sleeping rough Photograph: Eddie Keogh/REUTERSEddie Keogh/REUTERSHomelessness is on the increase. How can housing help? Photograph: Eddie Keogh/REUTERSHelen Carter2012-09-06T16:46:52ZTime to scrap the Mayor of London?http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/16/abolish-london-mayor-boris-johnson
Ken and Boris have made the office a huge success - but at what a cost to the rest of the UK. Sometimes, argues <strong><a href="http://labour-uncut.co.uk/tag/kevin-meagher/">Kevin Meagher</a></strong>, you have to be cruel to be kind<p>&quot;The government needs to stop pussyfooting around&quot; warned Boris Johnson yesterday as he made <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/aug/15/boris-johnson-pm-pussyfooting-london-airport">his latest pitch </a>for a third runway at Heathrow. This follows <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/9469376/Boris-Johnson-tells-David-Cameron-to-go-for-growth-to-harness-Olympic-legacy.html">his call</a> earlier in the week for supply side reforms to get the country out of recession. &quot;London really can be the motor of our economic recovery,&quot; he opined.</p><p>When the Mayor of London speaks, the political <em>cognoscenti</em> listen. It is a perch unlike any other in British politics, from which the office holder commands a national audience, wielding the largest direct electoral mandate in the country.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/16/abolish-london-mayor-boris-johnson">Continue reading...</a>Boris JohnsonMayoral electionsLondonPoliticsHS2Constitutional reformCrossrailHeathrowKen LivingstoneThu, 16 Aug 2012 13:24:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/16/abolish-london-mayor-boris-johnsonBen Kendall/PARiding high; maybe too high for the UK outside the M25. Photograph: Ben Kendall/PABen Kendall/PAHanging around ... Boris Johnson said he planned to remain mayor of London. Photograph: Ben Kendall/PAKevin Meagher2012-08-16T13:24:00ZLiverpool launches Fairness Commission ideas to spread wealth in UK's poorest local authorityhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/liverpool-launches-fairness-commission
Private sector signs up to notion of a Liverpool Living Wage as first report publishes a charter putting fairness at the centre of local decision-making<p>Liverpool is the latest northern city to set up a<a href="http://liverpool.gov.uk/council/strategies-plans-and-policies/Liverpool-Fairness-Commission/"> Fairness Commission</a> to remind local people and the Government nationally of the disproportionate effects of hard times.</p><p>The idea was pioneered by York, with the blessings of Archbishop John Sentamu, and the Guardian Northerner has reported on its progress, including the idea of a tourist tax, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2011/sep/22/sentamu-archbishop-of-york-fairness-commission-rowntree">here</a>, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2011/nov/29/universityofyork-universityofnottingham">here</a> and <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/16/york-universityofyork-fairnesscommission-sentamu">here.</a></p><p>It is a realisable ideal that sums up our vision for a city that affirms the integrity and value of all its citizens. But it will need all the city's public institutions, businesses, community groups and citizens working together, and a new, more focused and accountable model of civic leadership.</p><p>Businesses succeed through the efforts of talented, fulfilled and appropriately rewarded staff. I believe that the idea of a Living Wage makes economic as well as ethical sense.</p><p>It's important that we don't allow the progress that has been made in educational attainment to stall. Local employers need a well educated and skilled workforce and we need our young people to have the opportunity of worthwhile employment.</p><p>Creating a fairer society should be at the heart of our decision making and the commission has set a challenging set of recommendations. It is a challenge we must meet. A Living Wage for Liverpool&nbsp; would be a key way of reducing poverty and making a fairer city and all partners need to work together to help bring this about.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/liverpool-launches-fairness-commission">Continue reading...</a>LiverpoolLocal governmentSocietyMayoral electionsJohn SentamuLiving wageWed, 20 Jun 2012 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/liverpool-launches-fairness-commissionDon Mcphee/GuardianPast prosperity, future fairness. Liverpool's commission plans further steps. Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianDon Mcphee/Guardian'Under the new proposals, the MP for Mersey Bank will need to take a 12-mile detour through a different constituency and across the Mersey.' Photograph: Don Mcphee for the GuardianMartin Wainwright2012-06-20T06:00:00ZA new theatre and arts centre opens in Liverpoolhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/16/theatre-liverpool-beatles
The Epstein theatre - named after the Beatles' manager - opened last week after a £1.2m refurbishment<p>A newly opened Liverpool theatre and arts centre named after the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein is to feature a play about his life later this year.</p><p>The Neptune Theatre, a cultural gem in Hanover Street, has been renamed following a &pound;1.2m refurbishment and is now called the Epstein Theatre. More than just a theatre, it will host live music, dance, exhibitions and comedy.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/16/theatre-liverpool-beatles">Continue reading...</a>TheatreLiverpoolUK newsThe BeatlesMusicMayoral electionsWed, 16 May 2012 15:35:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/16/theatre-liverpool-beatlesGettyThe Beatles with manager Brian Epstein in 1965 Photograph: GettyGettyThe Beatles with manager Brian Epstein in 1965 Photograph: GettyHelen Carter2012-05-16T15:35:29ZTory Minister, Labour Mayor: we fight together for Liverpoolhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/liverpool-mayoral-elections
<a href="http://www.gregclark.org">Greg Clark </a>and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-18058471">Joe Anderson</a> cross party lines to write together for the <em>Guardian Northerner</em>, as they join the <a href="http://www.newcitiessummit2012.org">New Cities Summit</a> in Paris<p>Economic growth does not happen in the abstract – it happens in particular places where existing employers expand their production or new firms are attracted to locate for the first time.</p><p>Britain is one the most urban countries in the world. So, unless our cities are places which foster and attract enterprise , investment and job creation then Britain itself will not return to growth with the strength that is needed. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/liverpool-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLiverpoolMayoral electionsLocal governmentSocietyBusinessConservativesLabourTue, 15 May 2012 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/liverpool-mayoral-electionsDon Mcphee/Don McpheeA great city, especially when politicians join forces in its interest. Photograph: Don McpheeDon Mcphee/Don McpheeHousing providers on Merseyside are joining together to tackle the 'bedroom tax'. Photograph: Don McpheeGreg Clark and Joe Anderson2012-05-15T16:00:00ZRegional government redux?http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/elected-mayors-metromayers-regional-government
We're fast running out of options for how we devolve power in England, argues veteran campaigner <strong><a href="http://labour-uncut.co.uk/tag/kevin-meagher/">Kevin Meagher</a></strong><p>The collapse of the city mayor project beneath a wave of public apathy and political hostility comes eight years after plans for an elected regional assembly in the north east <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3984387.stm">were rejected in a five-to-one battering </a>from voters. </p><p>So where now? Received opinion says we need to move to <a href="http://www.idea.gov.uk/cityregions">the city region </a>or <a href="http://www.centreforcities.org/mayors">'metro mayor' </a>model instead. This is the cognoscenti's favourite option, bringing together a cluster of neighbouring local authorities, providing larger scale for handling new economic powers and more closely copying the London mayoralty.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/elected-mayors-metromayers-regional-government">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLocal governmentMayoral electionsSalfordBradfordWiganConstitutional reformGreater ManchesterTue, 15 May 2012 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/15/elected-mayors-metromayers-regional-governmentAlamyNice place, Sheffield, and a fine town hall. But would Donny, Barnsley and Rotherham want to be ruled from here? Photograph: AlamyAlamyPeace Gardens, Sheffield. Photograph: AlamyKevin Meagher2012-05-15T11:00:00ZPolitical lessons from Bradford's 'second Spring'http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/07/blogpost-bradford-respect-georgegalloway
The <a href="http:///www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17951593">defeat </a>of Labour leader Ian Greenwood in the Bradford council local elections and his deputy leader Imran Hussain in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/may/04/george-galloway-respect-bradford-council?newsfeed=true">Bradford West by-election</a> – both by Respect party candidates – ushers in the chance of new political possibilities in the city.<p>We cannot yet be sure whether Bradford is setting a new political template nationally by breaking the stranglehold of the three-party politics bunched up to the centre-right of the political spectrum, or whether the Respect victories at the by-election and council polls are just a local and temporary phenomenon. </p><p>What <em>is </em>certain is that the Respect party's succession of victories has shaken up the political establishment and highlighted the need for local leaders to wake from political stupor and stand up as champions for a city that appears to be in terminal economic decline. &nbsp;</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/07/blogpost-bradford-respect-georgegalloway">Continue reading...</a>BradfordRespect partyLabourPoliticsGeorge GallowayLocal governmentMayoral electionsSocietyBenefitsTax and spendingEducationMon, 07 May 2012 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/07/blogpost-bradford-respect-georgegallowayChristopher Thomond/GuardianFive come at once. The Respect bus is on the road in inner-city Bradford, with five new councillors to shake up local politics. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianChristopher Thomond/GuardianGeorge Galloway's Respect party battle bus passes a polling station in the Little Horton ward of Bradford on local election day. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianRatna Lachman2012-05-07T09:00:00ZNorthern eyes are on you now, Liverpoolhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/liverpool-mayoral-elections
The famous Mersey port and its new mayor Joe Anderson have stolen a march on the rest of the north, says <strong>Katie Schmuecker</strong> of the <a href="http://www.ippr.org/">Institute for Public Policy Research North</a><p>Liverpool is the most important northern city to have a directly elected mayor. Jokes aside about how cosy the cabinet of mayors meetings will be, if the government is true to its word, Merseyside should now have a direct line to the corridors of power.</p><p>This will be good for Liverpool, a city that has been hit hard by the recession, yet has considerable untapped economic potential – prior to the recession it was one of the fastest growing parts of the north. This is an opportunity for Liverpool to steal a march on other cities.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/liverpool-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLiverpoolMayoral electionsLocal electionsLocal elections 2012Fri, 04 May 2012 16:27:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/liverpool-mayoral-electionsChristopher Thomond /GuardianHandy influence: Liverpool's first elected mayor, Labour council leader Joe Anderson, has a direct line to Westminster now. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianChristopher Thomond /GuardianLabour's mayoral candidate for Liverpool, Joe Anderson. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianKatie Schmuecker2012-05-04T16:27:05ZNewcastle: now is the time for firm leadership and a fair futurehttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/mayoral-elections-newcastle
As the dust settles after Newcastle's rejection of an elected mayor, Labour council leader <strong><a href="http://www.nickforbes.org.uk">Coun Nick Forbes</a></strong> says it's time to move on<p>The last few months have seen debates across some of the north's biggest cities about the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/mayoral-elections">need for accountability and leadership</a>. We've heard many powerful arguments for both the elected mayor model and the current system and we have enjoyed a stimulating debate in Newcastle.<br /> <br />It's not the time to revisit those arguments; that has been done and the people have decided. It's time to move the debate on from the mechanisms for leadership - the systems, the nuts and bolts, the strategies - to why our cities need men and women who can help us face up to the biggest civic challenge for a generation.<br /> <br />To put it simply, this is not the best time to be in local government. Our resources - particularly in the north east - are squeezed to breaking point. At the same time our responsibilities and our workload are increasing. We look after more children than ever, and we know that people will be living longer and will require more care. In the next year the council will take over responsibility for public health, and the government's plans for changes to the welfare system will mean that more households than ever before will rely on council services.<br /> <br />The local government funding landscape has changed utterly in the last two years and we have to adapt, cutting our cloth to match our diminished resources whilst making sure our city flourishes and continues to grow.<br /> <br />And we live in a culture that is increasingly anti-politics, where public service is looked on by some as an 'easy life' ripe for reform.<br /> <br />This is a time for strong, firm leadership, but that doesn't come from a badge or the job title. The public don't really care what politicians call themselves. What they want are people who can lead complex organisations, take tough decisions, and make real differences to their city and to their lives.<br /> <br />They want a council to deliver a range of practical improvements - providing better schools for their children, improving care home standards for older people, making sure people have access to the best and latest information about public health or creating modern, affordable homes.<br /> <br />They want a council that is well-respected on the national stage and can lobby and persuade Westminster politicians - for whom our city is a world away - to listen to our arguments.<br /> <br />They want our council to plan adequately for a future that offers not only potential problems, but fantastic opportunities for economic and social growth.<br /> <br />There has been growth and the city of Newcastle has proved resilient during the economic downturn, but this has not benefited everyone, particularly those most in need. People in our poorer areas have fewer qualifications, fewer job opportunities and far more chance of dying early or developing a disability.<br /> <br />The challenge for our generation is to change that. Our legacy must be more than bricks and mortar. By acting today in the interest of tomorrow we can bring about lasting change which will mean far better life chances for future generations of people in Newcastle.<br /> <br />That's why fairness is such a huge priority for us. This council believes that creating a fairer city will create a better city where people are wealthier, happier and healthier. That's why we created our <a href="http://www.ncl.ac.uk/socialrenewal/fairnesscommission/">Fairness Commission</a>. We believe we have a once in a generation opportunity to address some of these basic inequalities and change lives across our city.<br /> <br />But we won't get there by putting off tough decisions or waiting in vain for the good times to return. We won't get there by locking ourselves away in the Civic to study grand strategies and plans. The only way we'll achieve our goals is to set out clear priorities and talk to the people of our city about what they want Newcastle to become. Then, together, we can set about creating a city fit for the future.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/mayoral-elections-newcastle">Continue reading...</a>Mayoral electionsNewcastlePoliticsLocal governmentFri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/04/mayoral-elections-newcastleTom King / Alamy/AlamyAlways a fine city. Needs to be a fairer one. Newcastle and its close neighbour Gateshead, across the Tyne. Photograph: Tom King / Alamy/AlamyTom King / Alamy/AlamyThe Tyne Bridge and Swing Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne. Photograph: Tom King / Alamy/AlamyMartin Wainwright2012-05-04T16:00:00ZHow do the Conservatives regain the trust of northern England?http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-2012
Four experts give their answers, as voters go to the polls to choose councillors, elect mayors in Liverpool and Salford, and decide on whether to have elected mayors in seven other northern cities<p><strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ed-jacobs">Ed Jacobs</a></strong>' weekly commentary on the <em>Guardian Northerner</em> today looks at the dire image of the Tories in the north. Here, four experts writing exclusively for us, give their views on how this could be changed.</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/people/item/neil-o-brien?category_id=39">Neil O'Brien</a>, director of Policy Exchange co-author of the <a href="http://www.lancasterandfleetwoodconservatives.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/North-South-Divide-Report.pdf"><em>Northern Lights </em>report</a>: </strong></p><p>The sorts of things the Tories need to do better in the north are quite similar to the rest of the country, only more so. Our polling finds that people want to see action to reduce the cost of living – particularly energy and fuel bills.</p><p>People think that everywhere, but the feeling is strongest in the north. Just like Labour, people also want to the Tories to field more working class candidates, and more people with experience outside politics. Again, that's true everywhere, but the feeling is strongest in the north. Northerners have even tougher views on crime than people in the rest of the country.</p><p>Put simply, the Conservatives need to improve their performance in the north of England if we want to win an overall majority at the next General Election. Half the ten seats needed for a 20-seat working majority will need to come from the North, and 11 out of the 25 for a 50 seat majority, based on the new boundary notional majorities.</p><p>The government is already pursuing policies that benefit the north, most notably through infrastructure projects like High Speed Two, new road links and rail improvements, like line electrification. We need to keep investing in infrastructure, and skills training through schemes such as apprenticeships if we are to make northern England a more attractive home for private sector business as part of balancing our regional economy.</p><p>It's a myth that Conservative support is failing outside the south-east. If the last close election is compared to that of 1951, for example, the Tory position has improved in Yorkshire - and even more in the midlands.</p><p>However, there has been a real slump in the north. Most of the north-east is now beyond the party's reach, and it has serious problems in the north-west. If these aren't addressed the Conservatives can't be a truly national party.</p><p>The Conservatives have the country in the north and they will never get the inner cities, but to have any chance of forming a majority government, they must capture northern suburbia. Many of these seats were held in the 1980s with some up until 1997, but since then they have struggled to get councillors elected there, let alone MPs.<br /> <br />For the electorate in these seats, the Tories did not quite de-toxify enough by the last election, despite what the likes of <a href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/tim_montgomerie/">Tim Montgomerie</a> assert. The problem is that given that many of these constituencies have large numbers of the more comfortably-off, public sector electors, in the current climate they are hardly likely to be enthused about voting Tory. Coupled with a completely and unnecessarily, politically misjudged Budget, the Conservatives have gone two steps back.<br /> <br />There is no silver bullet solution but certainly some astute advisers at No.10 and the Treasury who either know, or genuinely understand, what it is like to consider that 20p on a pasty actually is a lot, would help. A large rebalancing of the amount spent on infrastructure away from the south and towards the north, so creating jobs both in the short-term and in the long-term through making the region more attractive for investment, would also help.</p><p>In the even shorter term, Osborne has to find savings elsewhere to scrap the 4p petrol tax rise due in August or else face even more political opprobrium and Cameron would be advised to dump his plans for minimum alcohol pricing. The Notting Hill set would never contemplate spending &pound;3-&pound;3.50 on a bottle of wine, but for many low income people (and responsible drinkers) in the north, that's all they can afford.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-2012">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLocal electionsLocal elections 2012Mayoral electionsThu, 03 May 2012 06:10:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-2012Antonio Calanni/APIf Prada can come up with a flat cap image, why not the tory 'posh boys'? Photograph: Antonio Calanni/APAntonio Calanni/APMiuccia Prada's designs are 'naff', said Italian designer Giorgio Armani as his rival prepared to launch on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Above, model on the Prada catwalk, Milan, 19 June 2011. Photograph: Antonio Calanni/APEd Jacobs2012-05-03T06:10:00ZConservatives across the north are down but not necessarily outhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-20121
David Cameron's party has a terrible image up here, but there is surprisingly wide agreement with its policies<p>&quot;Let sunshine win the day&quot;. These were <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/oct/08/comment.politics">the words used</a> by David Cameron addressing his first Conservative party conference as leader in 2006.</p><p>Conscious of the &quot;nasty party&quot; tag <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2002/oct/08/uk.conservatives2002">applied to the Tories</a> by Theresa May in 2002 as party chairman, the Cameron project's objective was to detoxify that image.</p><p>Commentators often talk about a north-south divide in voting. But the division is not simply to do with the north but with northern cities specifically.</p><p>There are 80 broadly rural seats in the north and midlands. The Conservatives hold 57 of them (or 71%). No northern problem for the Tories there – their problem is in the northern cities. There are 124 parliamentary seats in cities in the north and midlands ('major urban' and 'large urban'). Of these seats the Conservatives hold just 20 – or 16%.</p><p>53% of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/19/hs2-chilterns-backlash-conservative-heartlands">those across the north </a>disagreed that high-speed rail 2 is a good use of money, a view echoed by a sizable number of Conservative activists and MPs alike.</p><p>66% believed we should allow &quot;almost no immigration&quot;, <a href="http://www.conservatives.com/News/Speeches/2011/04/David_Cameron_Good_immigration_not_mass_immigration.aspx">an agenda </a>that the Conservatives have traditionally been most trusted on, with Cameron himself having called for &quot;good immigration, not mass immigration.&quot; </p><p>Whereas in 1983, when Thatcher was elected, the Conservatives lost the North by only 4.5 points, in the last election they lost by seven.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-20121">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLocal electionsLocal elections 2012Mayoral electionsThu, 03 May 2012 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/03/local-elections-local-elections-20121Marco Secchi/Getty ImagesThey may be posh, but are their policies? Voters in the north don't necessarily think so. Photograph: Marco Secchi/Getty ImagesMarco Secchi/Getty Images'Cameron and Osborne's refusal to change course is partly driven by ideology, but there's something else, more quintessentially Tory, about it.' Photograph: Marco Secchi/Getty ImagesEd Jacobs2012-05-03T06:00:00ZParties in Bradford give their views on an elected mayorhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-debate-bradford-labour-conservative-liberal-democrat-green-respect
Here are extracts from speeches at the city's only public debate on the issue, with a link to the full texts and the Warwick Commission report on elected mayors<p>Following on from yesterday's <em>Guardian Northerner</em> post on Bradford's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/01/bradford-mayoral-elections?newsfeed=true">one and only mayoral debate</a>, the organisers have posted the speeches of the main party representatives at the event online.</p><p>You can read <a href="http://martinwainwright-truenorth.blogspot.co.uk/">them in full here</a>, courtesy of <a href="http://www.justwestyorkshire.info/">JUST West Yorkshire</a>, Bradford University student union, <a href="http://www.bradfordcathedral.co.uk/">Bradford cathedral</a> and <a href="http://www.bmwc.org.uk/">Bradford Muslim Women's Council</a> who together organised the debate at the <a href="http://www.peelhotels.co.uk/hotels/midland-hotel-bradford-yorkshire-england/">Midland Hotel</a>. I've added them as a temporary post on my <em><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/26/north-south-divide-relocation">True North</a></em> blog, which has <a href="http://martinwainwright-truenorth.blogspot.co.uk/">much other fascinating material on earlier posts </a>for those with time.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-debate-bradford-labour-conservative-liberal-democrat-green-respect">Continue reading...</a>Mayoral electionsLocal electionsLocal elections 2012BradfordLabourConservativesLiberal DemocratsGreen partyRespect partyPoliticsUniversity of BradfordWed, 02 May 2012 16:55:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-debate-bradford-labour-conservative-liberal-democrat-green-respectChristopher Thomond/GuardianBright, lively and diverse; but does Bradford, whose Bombay Stores are shown here, need an elected mayor? Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianChristopher Thomond/GuardianBombay Stores in Bradford Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianMartin Wainwright2012-05-02T16:55:04ZLeeds debates elected mayor referendum – but finds no clear opinionhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-elections-leeds
Debate hears both sides of argument – yet do people really understand what they're voting for? Leeds perhaps isn't so sure<p>Leeds – like some<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/13/mayoral-elections-leeds"> other Northern cities </a>– has a massive decision to make this Thursday: Whether to vote in favour of an elected mayor.</p><p>The couple of hundred or so hardy souls who packed into Leeds Metropolitan University's Rose Bowl lecture theatre were under no illusion of the enormity of this once-in-a-lifetime vote. 'Who could Leeds' Boris Johnson be?' asked one before the event. Another said:</p><p><br />Shame Jimmy Savile's not still around. Our Jimmy would have been just right.</p><p>I'm tempted to vote Yes just because the existing councillors want us to vote no. They need shaking up, don't they? Otherwise I've no real idea.</p><p>If you elect a mayor you are stuck with them for three or four years, there's no changing that. Look at what a mess Doncaster is in with their mayor. At current council elections you can change who runs the council yearly.</p><p>The people who have most to lose are giving the most reasons to say no.</p><p>A mayor would win business for the city and make my life a shedload easier.</p><p><br />&quot;I can't quite express the jumble of thoughts in my head from my recent foray into the <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23LeedsMayor">#LeedsMayor</a> stuff. But one thing lacking seems 'hope'</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-elections-leeds">Continue reading...</a>Mayoral electionsLeedsLocal governmentLocal electionsLocal elections 2012Leeds Metropolitan UniversityPoliticsManchesterBradfordGreater ManchesterWed, 02 May 2012 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/02/mayoral-elections-leedsPRPerformers at West Leeds festival. Would an elected mayor liven up Leeds, or send things spinning out of control?PRJumping around in West Leeds.John Baron2012-05-02T06:00:00ZBradford's only mayoral debate votes heavily in favourhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/01/bradford-mayoral-elections
Just under two-thirds of those at a meeting called by the university, cathedral, Muslim women's council and JUST West Yorkshire say Yes. But <strong>Ratna Lachman</strong> warns that disillusion with existing systems is the driver, rather than enthusiasm for the new<p>The failure of politicians in Bradford, Leeds and Wakefield to facilitate an informed debate on the pros and cons of an elected mayor prior to Thursday's referendums undermines democracy and treats the electorate with contempt.<br /> <br />Thus far, the polarised nature of the issue has been cast in simplistic terms, in which No campaigners have raised the spectre of power-hungry dictators accruing powers to themselves. This plays to a version of 'bogey' politics that is not borne out in the majority of the cities that have opted for an elected mayor model. With the exception of <a href="http://www.birminghampost.net/news/politics-news/2012/04/26/stoke-on-trent-politician-warns-birmingham-off-an-elected-mayor-65233-30841470/">Stoke-on-Trent</a> and <a href="http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/mayor">Doncaster</a>, cities that have opted for an elected mayor have consistently performed well across a range of key indicators.<br /> <br />Likewise the threats by the Yes campaigners that a No vote will deprive West Yorkshire's cities a portion of the bounty that the Prime Minister is waving as an inducement - membership of the Cabinet of Mayors; city deals that offer financial incentives and local freedoms and flexibilities to turn the economic fortunes of cities around – negates the huge strides that cities like Manchester have taken without the help of an elected mayor to bring about massive economic regeneration.<br /> <br />The recent independent report by the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17703878">Warwick Commission on Elected Mayors and City Leadership</a> reviewed the performance of elected mayors nationally and internationally. It warns against taking:</p><p>a binary approach as it allows both extremes to trade insults on the basis of precious little empirical evidence.</p><p>Whether it is the right time to change from a council leader system to an elected mayor system seems to depend upon the <em>status quo</em>. Where the electorate is relatively happy with the current situation – as they appear to be in Manchester and Wakefield – then switching to a mayor may not be appropriate. However, where the <em>status quo</em> is deemed inappropriate then a mayoral system might well prove beneficial, both in terms of offering a change that might, in itself, improve the system, and equally importantly, offering a way of diluting the centralised nature of political life and enhancing the status of the locale at the expense of the centre.<br /> </p><p>Independent Mayor 48.6%<br />Respect 31.4%<br />Other 8.6%<br />Conservatives 5.7%<br />Labour 5.7%<br />Green 0%<br />Liberal Democrats 0% </p><p><br />Do voters feel well served and represented by existing political arrangements?<br />Is there a clear vision and blueprint for the area that gives its' residents and businesses a strong sense of pride and belonging to the area?<br />Has the present model delivered economic regeneration, investment and employment for the city?<br />Has the present system of governance promoted openness, transparency and accountability in decision-making?<br />What is the prognosis for the future wellbeing of the area under the present political arrangements?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/01/bradford-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>BradfordMayoral electionsLocal governmentPoliticsLeedsWakefieldManchesterGreater ManchesterTue, 01 May 2012 16:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/01/bradford-mayoral-electionsJUST West YorkshireThe Bradford referendum debate under way. Photograph courtesy JUST West YorkshireLuke MacGregor/ReutersThat was the Bradford & Bingley. It's not yet quite so clear re. a Bradford Mayor. Photograph: Luke MacGregor/ReutersLuke MacGregor/ReutersRatna Lachman2012-05-01T16:30:00ZShelter keeps up the pressure on Liverpool landlordshttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/30/liverpool-mayoral-elections
<a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/home">Shelter</a>'s head of campaigns, <strong>Antonia Bance</strong>, reports again from Liverpool, as candidates for elected mayor hear details of ripped-out kitchens, streaming damp and mould<p><em><a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/home">Shelter</a> has set up a spoof lettings agency in Liverpool's Lord Street to highlight the state of the city's rented housing in the run-up to Thursday's poll. Antonia Bance <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/26/shelter-housing-liverpool-elected-mayor?newsfeed=true">blogged on the start of the campaign</a> last week. Here's part two:<br /></em><br />&quot;I'm doing this for my 12 year old daughter&quot;, said one Liverpudlian, busily signing <a href="http://www.shelter.org.uk">Shelter</a>'s petition calling on the first directly-elected mayor of Liverpool - whom voters will choose on Thursday - to crack down on rogue landlords in the city.<br />I've always been lucky, I've been able to buy my own place, but renting and rogues... that'll be her challenge soon.&quot;<br /> <br />It's day two at <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns/rotten_homes_liverpool?appeal=1051300">Rotten Homes</a>, <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/home">Shelter</a>'s spoof letting agents in Liverpool, and every signature gathered for <a href="http://england.shelter.org.uk/home">Shelter</a>'s campaign comes with a new story. One in five households in Liverpool rent from a private landlord. Figures from the council show that 43% of these properties are not classified as 'decent', featuring problems ranging from fire hazards and faulty gas and electrics to mould and damp.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/30/liverpool-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>LiverpoolMayoral electionsHousingHousing benefitCharitable givingCharitiesPoliticsVoluntary sectorMon, 30 Apr 2012 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/30/liverpool-mayoral-electionsChristopher Thomond/Christopher ThomondCheery colours, but not always so brght inside. Boarded-up houses in Wavertree, Liverpool. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Christopher ThomondChristopher Thomond/Christopher ThomondBoarded-up empty houses in a street in Wavertree, Liverpool. Some houses are still occupied. &#13; Photograph: Christopher Thomond/Christopher ThomondAntonia Bunce2012-04-30T09:00:00ZWhat can the north expect in next week's elections?http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/local-elections-mayoral-elections
All three parties have something to gain and much to lose. The <em>Guardian Northerner</em>'s political commentator <strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ed-jacobs">Ed Jacobs</a></strong> surveys the battlefield and highlights the most interesting contests<p>Next Thursday the country will go to the polls in what will be a crucial midterm test of opinion of the three main parties.</p><p>Contests for the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/london-mayoral-election-2012">Mayor of London</a> and the race for <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/scotland-blog/2012/apr/17/scottish-labour-second-place-snp-may-council-elections">Glasgow City Council </a>have, in particular, been analysed to death to assess what various results wold mean for the three main party leaders. But in northern England too, an intriguing night awaits. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/local-elections-mayoral-elections">Continue reading...</a>PoliticsLocal electionsMayoral electionsLocal governmentDavid CameronEd MilibandManchesterLiverpoolSalfordDoncasterWilliam HagueGreater ManchesterFri, 27 Apr 2012 06:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/local-elections-mayoral-electionsJon Super/APDecision day draws closer, for councils and potentially elected mayors. Photograph: Jon Super/APJon Super/APLocal elections and AV polls opened this morning Photograph: Jon Super/APEd Jacobs2012-04-27T06:30:00ZShelter launches 'Rotten Homes Liverpool' campaignhttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/26/shelter-housing-liverpool-elected-mayor
Housing group wants strong leadership to tackle scandal of rented homes - sub-standard to the point of being dangerous says <strong>Antonia Bance</strong>, <a href="http://www.shelter.org.uk">Shelter</a>'s head of campaigns<p>All eyes will be on Liverpool over the coming month as the city's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2012/apr/20/liverpool-directly-elected-mayor-campaign">first elected mayor </a>gets down to business. The <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/08/liverpool-electedmayor-joeanderson-gregclark-richardkemp">city is the biggest outside<br />London</a> to be appointing a directly elected leader at this time, and<br />observers will be keen to track whether and how strong political will can<br />transform England's great regional cities.</p><p>For the mayor of Liverpool, improving the city's private rented homes<br />will be one of the most pressing tasks. One in five households in<br />Liverpool rents from a private landlord, but more than 40% of these<br />properties are classified as 'not decent'. In practice, this means a<br />home is hazardous because of faulty gas or electrics, doesn't have<br />modern facilities or heating, or is poorly maintained. These homes may<br />have problems with mould and damp, which can present serious health<br />risks to adults and children alike.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/26/shelter-housing-liverpool-elected-mayor">Continue reading...</a>HousingHousing benefitLiverpoolMayoral electionsPoliticsLondonLocal governmentHomelessnessRenting propertyCommunitiesThu, 26 Apr 2012 12:09:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/26/shelter-housing-liverpool-elected-mayorJohnny Green/PAShelter isn't a charity which gives up. This demo was in London in 2002. Now they're campaigning for action by Liverpool's first elected mayor against rubbish rented housing. Photograph: Johnny Green/PAJohnny Green/PAShelter supporters demonstrate against bad landlords, London, 2002. Photograph: Johnny Green/PAAntonia Bance2012-04-26T12:09:00Z